News

Human torso found in suitcase

Murder victim Mark Burke with his partner Tina. Homeless Burke’s dismembered body was found at Thorntons Recycle depot in Ballyfermot last July (CRISPIN RODWELL)

GARDAI have launched an investigation into the discovery of a human torso in a suitcase found dumped in the canal at Ardclough village, near Leixlip, in Co Kildare, yesterday afternoon.

The discovery was made by people out walking at 3.30pm. The body part is thought to have been inside a suitcase or container.

Gardai have yet to establish whether the remains are those of a male or female as the torso is in an advanced stage of decomposition. The cause of death was not apparent.

The scene is being preserved pending examination by a pathologist. Gardai were last night preparing to search the canal and surrounding area. Detectives have also begun examining the missing-persons database in an attempt to identify the victim.

There have been a number of unsolved investigations into the discovery of body parts found in Dublin and elsewhere. Gardai are still investigating the death of Mark Burke,